Umbrella organization for Hungarian public service media

MTVA

Since its foundation in 2011, MTVA has unified and streamlined all content production and asset management activities for the entire Hungarian public service media, thus becoming the largest media service organization in Hungary.

MTVA - in co-operation with Duna Media Service Non-Profit Ltd.

MTVA

Whilst producing content for television, radio, online platforms and news agencies, MTVA also manages all assets on behalf of the Hungarian public service broadcaster Duna Media Service Non-Profit Ltd. MTVA also provides support with content production and acquisition. MTVA operates 6 television channels, 9 radio stations, a news agency (MTI) and numerous new media outlets.

National and local identity

MTVA

MTVA successfully combines a national and a local identity via extensive programming cooperation with media partners around the Carpathian Basin

Broadcasting reach

MTVA

MTVA provides approximately 40,000 hours of television, as well as 52,000 hours of radio programming each year. Programmes are also transmitted beyond Hungary - to Europe, the American continent and Australia. MTVA’s content is broadcast daily into an estimated 99% of Hungarian homes

Channel profiles

Radio channel KOSSUTH

Kossuth Radio is the main radio station of Hungary. Created in 1925, the station has over 3 million listeners per day. As a talk radio station, it primarily broadcasts news and current affairs, as well as cultural content.

Radio channel PETŐFI

A few years ago, Petőfi Radio underwent a total revamp with respect to its profile. It now targets the young to middle-aged audience segment, broadcasting the latest music, along with recommendations for cultural and arts events, and with news.

Radio channel BARTÓK

This station is dedicated to classical music, also hosting discussion programmes and radio dramas.

Radio channel DANKÓ

Dankó Radio is a relatively new channel offering a programme of light entertainment especially designed to please admirers of Hungarian folk and world music while also catering to lovers of operetta.

Radio channel MINORITY BROADCASTING

The channel broadcasts programmes for ethnic minorities living in Hungary as well as current affairs, cultural and music content.

Radio channel PARLIAMENTARY BROADCASTS

Regular parliamentary sessions, broadcast daily.

Radio channel DUNA WORLD RADIO

Duna World Radio broadcasts to expatriate Hungarians around the world, presenting a selection of best public service content including archives and news segments in English.

HISTORY

1924 › ESTABLISHMENT

1924

FIRST EXPERIMENTAL RADIO BROADCAST

On 15th March 1924, the first experimental radio broadcast was aired in Hungary. Ever since regular radio broadcasts began on 1 December 1925, Hungarian Radio has been a flagship in the formation of Hungarian public opinion, and a reliable measure of the population’s taste.

1928

INAUGURATION OF LAKIHEGY HILL TRANSMITTER

In the beginning, the station was operated via a 20 kW radio transmitter and a so-called T-aereal, which consisted of a horizontal wire suspended between two buildings. The first powerful transmitter suitable to achieve nationwide coverage was inaugurated in April 1928 on Lakihegy Hill.

1933

BLAW-KNOX TYPE TOWER BECOMES ONE OF EUROPE'S HIGHEST STRUCTURES

Five years later, in 1933, a 307-meter-high (1,031 ft) Blaw-Knox type Lakihegy Tower replaced its predecessor and became one of Europe's highest structures of its time. It was designed to provide broadcast coverage for the whole of Hungary, utilising a 120 kW transmitter, and from then on it broadcast the programmes of the station known as ’Budapest 1’.

1949

KOSSUTH RADIO AND PETŐFI RADIO

In February 1949, ’Budapest 1’ was renamed to ’Kossuth Radio’ in honour of Lajos Kossuth, one of the emblematic leaders of the Hungarian revolution of 1848. ’Budapest 2’, which had been broadcasting since 1946, became ’Petőfi Radio’ – named after one of the most influential Hungarian poets.

1950

HUNGARIAN PUBLIC RADIO STARTS OPERATING INDEPENDENTLY

In 1950, the Telegraphic Office was nationalized, resulting in the secession of Hungarian Radio, which began to operate independently from the News Agency.

1957

MERGER OF HUNGARIAN PUBLIC RADIO AND TELEVISION

In 1957, Hungarian Public Radio and Television merged and continued to operate in this form until 1974.

1987

3rd RADIO CHANNEL BARTÓK USES VHF BANDWIDTH

Hungarian Radio began broadcasting its 3rd channel on 23 May 1987 this time utilising VHF bandwidth. The station was named after the world famous Hungarian composer, Béla Bartók. Featuring a daily program of classical music it has been broadcasting continuously ever since.

1998

COMMERCIAL TELEVISION AND RADIO STATIONS FLOOD THE MARKET

1998 saw the formation of a dual media system, with strong competition between different mass media channels. After commercial television and radio stations began to flood the market - primarily with the products of the entertainment industry - public service radio maintained its important role in preserving the country’s colourful and vast cultural heritage.

2011

NEW LEGAL STATUS

In 2011, MTVA, (Media Support and Asset Management Fund) became programme producer and asset manager to the Hungarian public service media, giving place to both its administrative, and programme making segments, in its newly built headquarters and production base.

2013

STUDIOS

Up until 2013, all the premises and studios operated by Hungarian Radio were located in Budapest, in the block between Bródy Sándor Street and Pollack Mihály Square. Included among these working premises were two exquisite palaces. One of these palaces was previously owned by the Eszterházy Dynasty and includes a remarkable interior known as “The Marble Hall”. The other palace formerly belonged to the Károlyi Family, and later became known as „The Italian building”.

2013

RELOCATION TO PRESENT HEADQUARTERS

By 2013, a number of studios had already moved to the current headquarters of MTVA, although the major studios on Pollack Mihály Square are still in use.

2015

ESTABLISHMENT OF DUNA MEDIA PUBLIC SERVICE LTD.

Due to a change in media law Hungarian Radio (MR) merged with the other Hungarian public service media providers (Hungarian Television, Duna Television and the Hungarian News Agency) and continues to operate within Duna Media Service Non-Profit Ltd. from 1 July 2015.